Let them eat cake...

I'm becoming famous. People are asking me why I haven't posted about winning the World Series. Well - primarily, it's because I've really been tied up with "life" stuff, if you can believe it. But...I cannot just leave my blog silent of any mention that WE WON - AGAIN - and because I must capture the afterglow before it is tainted by the already dramatic post-postseason free agency crap.

So, without further adieu....

First...Game 3 cannot go without major recognition. Let's stroll down memory lane, shall we? Top of the order, young Jacoby Ellsbury hit Fogg's first pitch for a base hit. Dustin Pedroia - 2nd in line - base hit. Mike Lowell - 5th in line - base hit. No runs scored this inning - but, it set a tone that would take the Sox to a Game 3 victory. Being in National League territory - pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka had to bat...and though he struck out swinging (he was coached to NOT swing) on his first attempt - no one could have ever imagined he would hit a 2 run single to put the Red Sox on top, 5-0 - and then pitch a 1-2-3 bottom of the 3rd. In case you're wondering: no, pitchers don't bat in Japan, either. Every player in the lineup had at least one hit (save Manny, believe it or not - but he was intentionally walked) - and further, it was the first time in World Series history that 2 teammates shared 3+ hits each - Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia - with a total of 7 between them. Rockies' pitching - Fogg melted down in the 3rd, marking the end of his 2007 season. 2 final notes: This was the longest World Series game in history: 4 hours and 19 minutes. And - with this notch on our belt - we had the utmost confidence: No other team, in the history of baseball, has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in the postseason....Oh wait...right, there was just one: The 2004 Boston Red Sox. :-) The Rox didn't stand a chance.

And....now, onto Game 4.

Truth is: I don't have notes from Game 4. Why? Because - me - Ann, the Red Sox fan - didn't get to watch the game. "Good God, Why??!?!", you ask? It's kind of a crazy turn of events, really and what I'll always remember when asked: "Where were you when the Red Sox won the Series in 2007?" Geez. It's not really that glamorous....certainly not worthy in the shadow of the memory of attending Game 1. Months ago - I registered for a national conference with the France tourism office. The conference is an annual event, held in a different U.S. city each year. This year - it just happened to be Boston. So - taking one for my own "home team" (boy, do I love my job or what??) - I was expected to attend an awards dinner on Sunday night, which began at 8pm, in true French (aka SLOW) fashion. On any other night, this would've been a lovely event, and being that I was only one of a very small number of Bostonians amidst the hundreds of other attendees - I'm sure it was a lovely event for them. For me - I had a very nice time, had an excellent opportunity to network with colleagues, which was the point - but there was a constant, nagging feeling of torture that the game was on and I wasn't watching it! I was fortunate that my sister is so supportive of my fanatic nature and indulged me the luxury of inning-by-inning score updates via text message. By 11pm, I had a double-digit number of attendees passing by, asking me for the score update. Finally - when I thought I couldn't stand anymore - I bailed out and rushed up to my room to see the last 2 innings. I know that John Lester had had an excellent game. I cannot deny that I had concerns about this start, more than any other start in this series. But, Lester, true to personal form - whether it be beating cancer or the Rox...he brought it. Good for you, John!

And, to be totally honest - after 2 glasses of champagne and 3 glasses of exquisite french wine - the details of those innings are just slightly blury. I couldn't seem to focus...when I turned it on, the score was tight, 2-1, anything could happen. Papelbon brought in for the 8th, with 2 outs - guys on base - I screamed inside when I saw him make his way from the Bullpen...."NOOOOOO!!!" I was so emphatic, as if Tito could hear me. I'd seen Francona put Pap in this position before - 1 out, guys on base - this is not his role and the last time Tito'd done this to Jonathan - it turned out very badly. Of course, it turned out - there'd be no losing for the 2007 Red Sox, they were ready to go home - home runs from World Series MVP Mike Lowell and PH Bobby Kielty and the always dominant pitching of our beloved closer Papelbon - we locked it in. Final: 4-3. Our 2nd World Series sweep in 4 years. Curse? What curse? There ain't no curse.

I didn't want to win this way. Oh, I predicted the Red Sox in 4. I wanted it to be so...wished for it to be so. Anyone can tell you that. But - personally - I never wanted to watch the Red Sox win the 2007 World Series as I sat, alone, in a 12th floor hotel room at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge. Pathetic...I know. BUT - boo freakin' hoo - because, the truth is: I watched the Red Sox win the 2007 World Series from the 12th floor of the Hyatt Cambridge, blessed with 10 foot wide by 6 foot tall windows - which, consequently, overlooks the Charles River and Fenway Park. So, as I watched the team celebrate in Denver on TV, I shut off all of the lights and watched the news helicopters fill the sky, sending the scene at Fenway to the local and national networks. I saw the handful of fireworks that went off at or near Fenway. I heard the sirens, I swear I could hear the crowd. Despite the late hour, I called a friend/severe Red Sox fan I knew would still be up, to just share the moment. So, don't feel bad for me, it's not a bad story. C'est la vie! :-)

As it's not ALL about me: The most sincere gratitude from me, Ann the Red Sox fan, to each and every one of you, the 2007 Red Sox:

Mike Lowell (WS MVP)

Josh Beckett (ALCS MVP)

Jacoby Ellsbury

Dustin Pedroia

David Ortiz

Manny Ramirez

Jason Varitek

J.D. Drew

Coco Crisp

Julio Lugo

Curt Schilling

Daisuke Matsuzaka

John Lester

Tim Wakefield

Jonathan Papelbon

Mike Timlin

Hideki Okijima

Manny Delcarmen

Kyle Snyder

Javier Lopez

Alex Cora

Eric Hinske

Bobby Kielty

Doug Mirabelli

And, for you, Terry Francona. Not since Bill Carrigan in 1915 and 1916 has any Red Sox manager guided us to 2 World Series wins. We couldn't ask for more. But...we will: Can we do it again next year? :-)

I know that business is business and some of you won't be with us in 2008. Some of you don't want to be here. Some of you will take better deals elsewhere. That will never change the fact that you have been a part of something so powerful - to have given us, millions of Red Sox fans - everywhere - a treasured gift of another World Series trophy and a season filled with the best baseball we could've ever imagined. On behalf of Red Sox Nation 2007 - we are forever grateful.

As I watched the Red Sox Rally (parade) on television from my sister's hospital room yesterday, I saw Mayor Mennino come out, holding the 2007 trophy. And, suddenly, someone else, who is probably political and I just don't recognize him - came out with the 2004 trophy. They stood with them, side by side, right in front of the railing that separates the grandstands from the box seats, the field and the Green Monstah behind them. I looked at the scene, and it literally brought me to tears. Ok, 2 tears, I didn't sobb hysterically - and the 2 tears I blinked back so as to not appear a complete freak. Nevertheless. Seeing those 2 trophies, side by side, brought so much joy to me in that moment, I couldn't help myself. I told this story to a close friend and he said: "Wow, that's a fan - BUT, if your team had placed last, 4 years in a row - could you still be a fan?" I replied as any typical Red Sox fan would: "Well, that's interesting, but if you look at our payroll, I'm doubtful that would ever happen!"

As a final note of the 2007 Red Sox season....Manny Ramirez was quoted (prior to Game 4) as saying: "We don't want to eat the cake first, before your birthday." Well - Manny - and the rest of the team - Go ahead - eat cake. You deserve it and it's all just so sweet.

Looking forward to seeing you all on Valentine's Day!

Truly yours,

Ann, the Red Sox fan

Everything's bigger at the World Series

It started out the same as most other games I've been to this year - just with the luxury of starting 90 minutes later...but, that didn't take the pressure off of getting into Fenway - because, when it's the World Series, and you paid that much for tickets...you want to see the Pops play the National Anthem. You want to see the F-16s flyover. You want to see Yaz throw the ceremonial first pitch. You damn well want to see it all. And, all I saw.

Traffic getting into Boston was unusually reasonable...maybe due to the later start. But. once you got 2 blocks within range - something was different. The streets were jammed with security, media, limos, buses, fans, vendors....the damp October air had a pulse - a beat - palpable, in my opinion. Maybe it was just all of the electricity being drawn in, the satellites all pointed here...I don't know....but, this was different than any other regular season game. The tickets are bigger, the crowd larger, the media presence astounding, even more seating/space was created behind home plate. A regular season game pales in comparison when considering the expectations and the stakes. Any fan attending this game with a "business as usual" attitude should've given their tickets to someone who'd really appreciate them. This Red Sox fan felt like Cinderella on her way to the ball...or a 6 year-old just arriving at Disneyworld for the first time. Magic. I'm very fortunate, at my age, to still have moments in my life that make me feel like this - and that I have the wisdom to appreciate them when they come.

And, for the baseball itself. The very moment I saw the 2nd pitch of the night bounce off the Green Monster for potential Rookie-of-the-year, Dustin Pedroia's first World Series home run - I thought quietly to myself: "So, that's how it's going to be. Welcome to the World Series, Colorado" - and smiled brightly. I was right. That's how it was going to be....Curse, what curse? It was 3-0 half way through the first, with the ultimate meltdown at the top of the 5th. Hit after hit, walk after walk, run after run, walked-run after walked-run. It just kept getting better for Red Sox offense and it couldn't get more embarrassing for Rockies' pitching. Fans everywhere asking themselves: "This is the best pitching Colorado's got?" and "Wow, this lead is big enough to bring in Gagne." Thanks to the dominant power of Josh "The Assasinator" Beckett and the brilliant wisdom of catcher and captain, Jason Varitek - defense was not a problem...and, in the end, Gagne got his 10 minutes of "fame" - hey, at least we didn't boo him. Afterall, someone had to close the game and there was no sense warming up Boston's newest Riverdancer, Jonathan Papelbon - we'll need him later.

Yeah, I know...I'm a girlie girl - comparing baseball to fairy tales (though I did NOT wear my pink hat to the game!) - but there are some incredible hard stats from World Series Game 1: First - this is the highest Red Sox score in franchise history in a World Series game. They set the record for runs scored AND victory margin in an opening game. The Red Sox became the first ballclub to hit 8 doubles in a Series game since 1925. Dustin Pedroia became just the second player in World Series history to lead off the first inning of Game 1 with a homer, joining Don Buford of the 1969 Orioles. Oh - the Rockie's had a stat of their own: Reliever Ryan Speier was the first pitcher to ever walk 3 batters with bases loaded in a Series game! Josh Beckett - compared to the icons of pitching: Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling (in their days) - is the first pitcher to strike out the first four batters in a World Series game since Sandy Koufax in 1963 - and Beckett could very well be on the greatest postseason run of all time. And, for you, Tito: Not since 1916 (Bill Carrigan) has any manager taken the Red Sox to the World Series twice. This is what we came here for - some of the greatest baseball ever seen....and that, we got.

As a seasoned Fenway Faithful - blessed with brilliant mentor, we've become talented in the artistry of attending Red Sox games. We landed a free parking space near Northeastern and caught the shuttle to the park - and, as usual, soon began playing our own sport of: "What are the best seats we can land tonight?" Game on. We went from our Bleacher seats in section 36 in the first (watching Dustin's home run hit the Green Monstah) - managed our way to Grandstand 15, and then on to Loge Box 113...and finally, Field box 26 - right behind the Sox dugout. It never ceases to amaze me how the fans with the best seats leave the earliest. Granted, it was a late game on a rainy Wednesday night, and it was a huge run lead...but, this is the WORLD SERIES, People! What, did you get your tickets for free? And, at the end of the very bland, uneventful 9th inning - with Gagne's nearly miraculous, sadly anti-climactic, perfect role as closer (Hey, Eric, what'd Pap give you some lessons?) - we stuck around, which we normally don't do - watching the teams line-up, the media take over the infield - grabbing players one by one for an interview...the grounds crew pulling out equipment, the athletes disappearing below into the clubhouse. No champagne or dancing on the mound tonight, still too many games to be played.

We were amongst the final fans to leave Fenway...and though there were folks milling about outside, many had already disspersed to the highways, the T, or their local hotels. We'd missed the last shuttle back to Northeastern, so we began on the long walk back to Ruggles. It hadn't turned out to be nearly as cold or rainy in Boston as was predicted...or, maybe it was a combination of the lights, the body heat of tens of thousands of people, and the passionate, unrivaled spirit of this historic ballpark that heated up Fenway as if it were an evening in early September rather than late October. The walk back was refreshing...reminiscing of other seasons, contemplating possibilities for 2008, what will become of players like Lugo and Lowell, (Theo - of you're listening - my vote: Pay Lowell whatever he wants and take the first trade deal that puts Lugo and Gagne in different uniforms) and the strategies for the line-up in Colorado. We walked along, the crowd of fans thinning until we were alone. I found the city oddly quiet, considering thousands of people had flooded into the streets a short time before - it was well after midnight smack dab in the middle of the week. If, from here, you couldn't see the Pru lit up with "Go Sox", you could be utterly unaware that there had even been a game that night. My World Series ticket tucked into my jacket, like a treasured secret - that I'd just shared with 36,733 other members of Red Sox Nation.

So, for me - at 11pm on Tuesday night - when I got an unexpected call from a dear friend/complete fanatic (perhaps moreso even than myself) - with tickets - asking if I was "IN" - I was battling a nasty head cold, a bit wacky from the Nyquil - but, I didn't whine, I didn't hesitate, I didn't worry about the forecast for rain, I never gave it a second thought...not even when I heard the ridiculously impractical, unjustifiable, irresponsible cost of the tickets. I accepted the invitation graciously, I packed up my Robitussin, tissues and rain poncho into my Red Sox backpack and I went. And, for me - this was a real life Mastercard commercial moment - "Living in the moment....Priceless".

One never knows how many opportunities in life they get to do something truly special - perhaps frivolous or decadent or extravagent - more often times, opportunites come when resources are absent or vice versa. I try not to carry the load of many regrets, but even I can count opportunites I've passed by, lacking a resource or an opportunity to just DO IT. Those moments that leave you with nothing but "What If...?" This is not now and will never be one of THOSE moments for me. The opportunity and the resources were in the same place at the same time...and I WENT. Look at all those Red Sox fans back in 1918 who said: "Oh, maybe I'll go to a World Series game next year." And, now, I've never been more grateful or loyal to my beloved "Boys of Summer" for the great baseball and for a memory that will last a lifetime.

Now, I know "there's no crying in baseball" but I do feel compelled to break into song: "I had the time of my life, and I owe it all to you" - to you, the Red Sox...and to you, Jake. I'd not have been there, not have had this fabulous moment in time, if not for you.

Most Blessed to be...
Ann, the Red Sox fan

Wondering about Curt, part 2

I admit it....I slacked off. I dragged myself home after the seemingly grueling long work day and took a nap. I don't usually allow myself such a self-indulgent luxury - but, tonight was different. I had to take a nap to even be able to watch tonight's game. I'm not as young as I used to be - that's true - BUT, I went to World Series Game 1 last night and didn't get home until nearly 3am. Boo freakin' Hoo, I know...don't feel sorry for me!

My point is: The game is on and I have not yet posted a blog tonight. And, here we are - after the first inning - and it's clear that something has changed from last night. This is my attempt at bringing the magic back.

Once again - Curt Schilling is faced with a playoff, pressure situation. Lucky for us - Curt generally performs well in a pressure situation. What, you don't think there's any pressure...after last night's huge blowout with a maximum of 6 games left to play? Oh, the pressure is on, all right....the pressure on Curt to be in a Red Sox uniform next year. He knows it, we know it. Hopefully - that will be enough heat for Schilling to perform in his usual playoff role. Now, Curt - we don't expect you to be Josh....but we do expect you to bring your experience, trust in Varitek, and don't the Rockies rattle your cage....take it one batter at a time.

And....for all Red Sox players - a win tonight will bring you half way there, gentlemen. Half way there. All you have to do is swing. You can get this done in 4...it wouldn't be the first time. And, I know everyone at Fox is hoping for a long, 7-game season....and, some Red Sox fans even hope you'll bring it back home to win here in Boston. Not me. I hope for what is best for you - and that's to take the Rockies in 4.

Sure, this isn't a must win....but, damn, would it be nice. Give it your best shot, men....I believe.

Let's Go, Red Sox!
Ann, the Red Sox fan

It's the World Series!!!

I don't have time to go into my usual pep-talk, song-and-dance routine...because, I'm on my way to the game!!!! (Yeah, I can't believe it either)

But, you all know - if I don't blog...what happens. So....without further adieu....I can only afford to go to one....so, Beckett, et al....do it for me, do it for you....you can take those Rockies, I know it, you know it....so, get it done!

Play Ball...
Ann, the Red Sox Fan

Do or die, 3rd time's a charm...

As I watched the early innings of last night's game, I considered Schilling - and the impact of this particular game on his career. Expectations were high, certainly - bloody sock history, must-win scenario...sure, there was all of that. But, I thought to myself, as I watched the fastballs and change-ups flying....I wonder, if he didn't win - what would become of him? Would he be retired next year? We all know he's looking for a $13 million contract - and we all pretty much know he's not going to get that much....but, would there by any offer to keep Curt in white and red next year? Of course - I don't know the answer - but, this I do know: Curt had to be wondering the same thing - and he pitched like it mattered. Experience, I believe, played a key factor....Fausto isn't clutch. And, now...though I still wonder what will become of Curt Schilling next year - I'm so very grateful to him for such an amazing outing as he had last night. Curt, you are now, and always will be, an important part of Red Sox history.

Of course....every great pitching effort must have run support. And, that it had! See what happens when you SWING?! Drew - you are the hero of last night - but it also took the rest of the village to get that job done - a grand slam, total of 4 RBIs for J.D....but, for those runs to happen, there had to be players on base...and plenty of them there were...8 more, to be exact. Every player (save Varitek) got a hit last night. Amazing. And, Captain - no worries, you had Curt's back, that's what we needed most.

Nice work...now, let's move on...

Game 7. It's a beautiful, unseasonably warm night here in Boston...the crowd at Fenway could very well be the largest ever...somewhere close to 34,000, give or take, I'm sure. We're home - we're loved - and we've got momentum. The excitement and anxiety are palpable. The fate of the 2007 Red Sox and a berth in the World Series will literally be put in the right hand of Daisuke Matsuzaka. I don't like to make any predictions about what will or won't happen, and I'm not anti-Dice-K....I don't think I've ever even bashed him on my blog....but, I expect Dice-K to pitch this game the exact same way he's pitched every game this year. Some say he has good and bad outings, he certainly has won some and lost some. But, if you really pay attention to his game - it's the same game, every game....all that differs is the run support, fielding and Francona's intuition of exactly when he needs to come out - which can be a bit off, in my opinion. Everyone who reads my blog knows that. I don't think Dice-K will pitch badly....I don't think he'll be dominant. He'll pitch 6 pitches at every batter, he'll put people on base and then save himself. He'll pitch until the 6th, hopefully. Generally, that's what he does. He's not like Wakefield - who's on or not, he's not like Schilling who typically performs as poorly as his last win was good and vice versa....he's Dice-K....steady, predictable, solid Dice-K. Every pitcher is available tonight...and, it just might take that. And, then, maybe it won't. Maybe we'll have a 10 run lead like we did last night. If wishing makes it so, Gentlemen - start chilling the champagne. (Hey - Pap, easy on the booze this time...K, Kid?)

All we need is runs. The rest will take care of itself. Wish we could've zip-locked up the extra runs from last night and saved them - like yesterday's lasagna - always better the 2nd day? So...to each and every member of the line-up tonight: Let's play it again, Sam....SWING BATTAH! Damn it, for the love of God, SWING.

Don't get all complacent and caulky from the last 2 major wins, guys....because the end of the 2007 season is just as close tonight as it was last night and as it was Thursday night. That's the reality. Let tonight be full of the greatest baseball you've ever played. GET IT DONE.

Feelin' the love,
Ann, the Red Sox fan

Do or Die, Part deux

Now, that's the Red Sox I know and love...Not going down with a thud out there in Ohio. Hot bats, dominant pitching...Even Manny being Manny. Nice work, fellas...bringing it home, just like I asked for. Josh - you deserve Cy Young, Baby....Sabathia's got nothing on you.

In yet another clutch situation...tonight is a must win. The biggest issues are: Don't get rattled, Curt. Remember 2004...we're counting on you again. No bloody sock this time - which doesn't make you less of a hero, it makes you even more capable now than you were then. Don't let us down....we know how intense you are....keep it in check. If you don't them let rattle your cage, you'll do just fine. Bring your wisdom and experience - you can take Fausto! And, Tito....once again, we'd love to see young Jacoby start in center or right (but not left!) tonight. Finally, SWING BATTAH....keep the bats moving, you guys...Fausto can deliver a lot more strikeouts than walks.

Stay angry, stay focused and hungry for a World Series start here in Beantown on Wednesday!

I believe,
Ann, the Red Sox Fan

Do or Die....

I've neglected my blog completely in the post season. It's been a wild, crazy ride - with the sweep of the Angels. Guys, you made it look so easy - I must admit now that I terribly underestimated the Indians. I don't question your ability to beat them - I just didn't realize it would be this difficult to do so.

So. Once again, the Red Sox find themselves in a "must win" situation. There is no alternative. Failure is not an option. I so strongly believe that Tito - you lost game 3 all on your own - the pitching didn't lose that game, the batters didn't lose that game - you lost it. You will not accept that Gagne is not capable. Each time you bring him out of the bullpen, you might as well just send everyone home, the odds almost guarantee that he'll blow it somehow. You know it, I know it...what is the problem? Why do you insist on continuing to play him? Red Sox Nation wants to know, Terry. What's up with that? Please do not let me see him take the mound tonight...my tender heart cannot take it.

Wakefield. Oh, Wakefield. This is one time that I thought maybe the starting pitcher should have stayed in for one more out. Truth is: I prayed for a rainout so Beckett could pitch the next evening. Wish it would've gone that way. It didn't. It wasn't all Wake's fault - the bats were silent, the ump calls bad. Nothing could go right. Let's not have a replay.

It's do or die, Gentlemen. Luckily, we're a clinch team, it motivates us, we must get angry to win. We didn't need the hype for the Angels, which is unusual, we had the momentum of finishing the season with a 2 game lead - kinda cushy for the Red Sox. I was at Fenway for the final game of the season - you played like it didn't matter - because it didn't. I - and other Red Sox fanatics everywhere - actually had 2 days of not having to wonder what the hell the Yankees had done the night before. It was refreshing. One thing I will say about the final regular season game at Fenway - the loss was Ok with us, the Fenway Faithful - what was special about this game was that we got to see every player on the field at one time or another, and thank each one for a fabulous season. But...now, we're long past regular season...it's crunch time. Do or die. You want drama? You got it: Beckett vs. Sabathia. You want pressure: Win tonight or make your tee times for this weekend. You want great baseball - swing the bats. That's all it will take to make magic tonight in Cleveland.

Hey Tito...how about putting Ellsbury in Drew's spot in the lineup...it might fill in some gaps. Lugo, Pedroia and Crisp - SWING at something, will you? Dustin - you're Rookie of the Year, but maybe someone forgot to tell you - you have to hit in the postseason, too!?

Personally - this fan didn't feel the need to play or beat the Yankees in the postseason to be the best team in baseball in 2007. Some people feel that way, I don't. However, I do feel that we need to beat the Indians to have beaten the Yankees.

Whatever you have left, men - BRING IT. Again - I know you're tired...I know some of you are hurting....I know it's a long season. But, this is Sox-tober. You own it. We believe. Get 'er done. This is your call to action. None of us want to get refunds for our tickets to this weekend's games. We want you to win tonight, come home and let us show you how grateful we are.

With hope, faith and much love,
Ann, the Red Sox Fan